Statt



2 sheets-sheet 1.

G. W. MORSTATT.

WINDOWBLIND.

(No MQdel.)

110.450,31. Patented Apr. 14,1891.

3mm L 3 (No Modl.) 2 ShetS-Sheet 2.

G. W. MORSTATT. WINDOW BLIND.

No. 450,316. PatentedApr. 14,1891'.

memes:- v zWenZZ/f'f UNrTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WlLLlAllI MORSTATT, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

WINDOW-BLIND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,316, dated April 14, 1891.

Application led August 26, l8 9 0. Serial No. 363,091. (No model.)

.To all wton it may concern:

Be it knowngthat I, GEORGE WILLIAM MoR- sTATT, of the city and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in lVindow- Blinds, ot which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in window-blinds in which a series of pivoted slats are connected and caused to swing in unison by a concealed connecting-bar.

The object is to improve the structure of the several parts so as to render the blind Vdurable and capable of the various adjustments desired, and at the same time to render the structure simple and inexpensive.

kA practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a view of the blind in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an edge view with the outer easing or frame removed, showing the parts in the position which they assume when the slats are closed. Fig. 3 is a similar view representing the position of the parts when the slats are open. Fig. 4 is a similar view, the rack-bar and toothed sector being dispensed with. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in detail of a portion of the connecting-bar. Figs. G, '7,

and 8 represent, respectively, a side elevation,

a top plan, and a transverse section of one of the crank-spindles. Fig. 9 is aview in side elevation in detail of the toothed sector and the spindle to which it is secured, showing the parts in assembled adjustment. Fig. 10 is a view in detail, looking toward the edge of the blind, of the toothed sector, the rack-bar engaged therewith, and the housing for the rack-bar, the latter being shown in section and the parts being represented in assembled adjustment. Fig: 11 is a view in detail of the housing, looking from the under side and showing the friction-spring in position. Fig. l2 is a transverse section through the side frame, in which the slats are pivoted at the point where the operating-handle connects with the rack-bar, showing also a top plan viewof the operating-knob or linger-piece and i Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the connecting-bar and one of the crankspindles and friction-spring in engagement therewith, showing the parts assembled in the form which they assume when the toothed sector and rack-bar are dispensed with.

A A, dsc., represent a series ot slats the edges of which overlap each other in the ordinary manner. The slats are pivotally secured at their opposite ends in side frames B, the latter being connected at their upper and lower ends by end pieces l), forming a rectangular frame surrounding the series of slats.

The frame B l), with the series of slats pivoted therein and the slat-operating mechanism to be hereinafter specifically referred to, forms in itself a complete article of commerce, adapted to be shipped and setup in any suitable supporting-frame or surrounding casing, as may be desired. I have here shown it as provided with an outercasing or frame composed of the side pieces O and end pieces c.

One of the side frames B-in the present instance the one located on theright-is provided with a channel or groove b in its outer edge, the length of the groove being nearly or quite equal to the length of the series ot' slats. The spindles or pivot-pins D, which are insertedin the ends of the slats are p rovided at that portion which is inserted within the slat with wings d, projecting laterally therefrom and 'formed by pressing from the sides of the pin portions of the metal, so that when the pins or spindles are inserted into the wood they will be held against any liability ot' Working loose in their sockets under the strain which may be exerted upon them by the rocking movement ofthe slats. The spindles D at one side of the series of slatsnamely, that side opposite the frame-piece provided with the groove b-proj ect from the ends of the slats in straight form and .enter suitable sockets in the side frame so as to admit ot thefree rockingmovement of the slats. The series of said pins or spindles at the opposite ends of the slats project through the side frame B into the bottom ofthe groove 1)', and are turned at right angles at the point where they pass through the bottom of the groove D and iiattened, the metal being spread out laterally to the direction of the body of the spindle, as shown at d', Fig. G,-

IOO

The flattening and spreading of the metal at the crank portions nl serve to lessen the depth of the groove b in the edge of the side casing B for the reception of the said crank portions and their connecting-bar, and at the same time disposes the metal in such shape as to cause it to withstand the strain which is to be exerted edgewise of the flattened portion in rotating the slats. This enables me to form the spindles or pins of light wire, and at the same time render them su fliciently strong to be effective in turning the slats. It will further be observed that the spindle, its crank, and wrist-pin are formed in one piece, and hence capable of being furnished at a low cost. The point where the spindle goes through the side frame into the bottom of the groove b is in alignment with the bearing of the projecting ends of the pins at the opposite ends of the slats and serves in connection therewith as a pivotal support for the slat, while the wrist-pins d2 at the ends of the flattened portions CZ serve as points for the engagement of the connecting-bar for the purpose of simultaneously operating the slats.

E represents the connecting-bar. Its bottom c is intended to be of substantially the same width as the diameter of the wrist-pins d2, and its sides or flanges e', which are turned at right angles from the bottom e, serve as guides, resting in proximity to the opposite sides of the wrist-pins, which project through holes e2 in the bottom, and prevent the wristpins from a wabbling motion. This enables me to construct the bar E of thin metal, making :it light and still, and furnishing at the same time an extended bearing for the wrist-pins cl2. The groove Z2 is of such width relative to the cranks on the ends of the spindie and the connecting-bar E that the said cranks and the bar in engagement with their wrist-pins may be swung a complete halfrevolution, or substantially such distance, to throw the slats from a closed position slanting upwardly and rearwardly to a closed position slanting downwardly and rearwardly.

When constructed as above described and the parts assembled, the series of slats may be simultaneously swung open and closed by taking hold of the edge of any one of the slats with the fingers or by providing the edge of some one of the slats with any suitable finger-piece for operating them. To hold them inany desired position into which they may be turned, I provide a friction-spring F, preferably of bow form, as shown. lVhere the rack-bar and toothed sector, hereinafter to be described, are dispensed with, the frictionspring is located, as clearly shown, at F in Fig. 13, with its ends resting against the bottom vof the groove b and. its middle portion in engagement with the under side of one of the flattened crank portions d.

When the toothed sector and rack-bar are the series of slats,is provided with a squared end d, the crank portion being omitted. A toothed sector G is provided at the center of the sector portion with a squared opening to receive the squared end cl3 of the spindle, and the sector is secured to the spindle by upsetting the squared end d3, after passing it through the squared opening in the sector. The said sector G is provided with a lateral extension g in the plane of the sector and forming, in effect, a crank-arm in alignment with the several crank-arms d', in the outer end of which a wrist-pin g is secured, the

`latter corresponding with the wrist-pins cl2 on the spindles set in the ends of the slats above and below the spindle to which the sector is secured. The wrist-pin g is inserted through a perforation in the extended portion g of the sector, and is upset on the under side of the extended portion,as shown at g2,Fig. 9. The spindle to which the sector G is secured eX- tends through a bearing-plate H, preferably of circular form, as shown, and seated in a recess h, formed in the bottom of the groove b. Because of the slight projection of the upset end of the wrist-pin g below the face of the sector' G, I provide a washer I, surrounding the spindle intermediate of the bearingplate II and the sector and of a diameter which will bring its periphery within the path of the upset end g2 of said wrist-pin, so that the sector will move freely without liability of wearing away the upset portion g2 of said wrist-pin, and thereby loosening said wristpin. A rack-har K, preferably consisting of a thin strip of metal, as shown, and provided with a series ot' teeth 7c along one of its edges intermediate of its ends, has a limited longitudinally-sliding movement, with its teeth in engagement with the teeth on the sector G. The ra'ck-bar K is provided with an outwardlyextending shank 7c', the outer end of said shank being turned laterally, forming a support 7a2 for the reception of an oval cap L. The latter may be secured to the support k2 by forcing it snugly over the support, causing its flange Z to tightly engage and slightly set under the edges of the support 7;?. The shank it" is intended to slide in a narrow elongated slot fm, formed in a housing M.

The rack-bar K is provided centrally of its line of teeth with a space 7a3 between two teeth, which space is intended to engage the middle sector-tooth upon the sector, and the slot m in the housing bears such a relation to the length of the rack K upon the opposite ICO IIS

IZO

sides of the shank 7s that the said rack-bar the middle space 7.53 of the rack-bar, the movement ot' the bar longitudinally in either direction will be limited by its engagement with the sector, so that the shank will not be allowed to reach either end of the slot m in swinging the slats throughout their movement The rack-bar K rests upon its inner side in proximity to the bottom of the groove o', and it is held in its position and retarded by means of the bow-spring F, the middle portion of which bears against its side and serves by its action upon the rack-bar to hold the slats in the adjustmentto which they may be turned. rlhe spring F in this arrangement has its ends engaged with inwardlyturned lugs m on the housing M. The housing M is further provided with a rearwardlyturned flange m2, the central portion of Which is developed into a projecting lip m3, which is turned toward the bottom of the groove b', and its end rests in proximity to the outer face of the sector G, and serves to hold the latter truly in its position in engagement with the rack-bar. The lugs m, with which t-he ends of the bow-spring F engage, yare preferably formed, as shown, by turning inwardly the ends of the flange m2. The housing M, with its flange m2, its lugs m, and its guide lip m3, is preferably formed of a single piece otl metal, and may be conveniently stamped from a blank sheet.

It is of the utmost importance that the holes in the side strip B, in which the crankspindles bear, should be exactly the same distance apart as the holes e2 in the bottom e of the connecting-bar E, which connects the several Wrist-pins of the crank-spindles, and to this end I nd it desirable to bore the several holes in the side frame simultaneously, and to also bore the several holes in the connecting-bar E simultaneously and With the same machine with which the holes in the side frame are formed or with its exact counterpart, so far as the arrangement of the cutting-tools is concerned.

The advantages and the operations of the several parts have been so fully set forth in connection with their description that they need not be repeated.

Vhat I claim as my invention isl. The combination, with the slats and their support, of-cranks secured to the en'ds of the slats and provided with Wrist-pins,

' and a bar connecting the Wrist-pins of the cranks, the said bar having perforations in 2. The combination, with a series of slats,A

their support, and cranks secured to the ends of the slats, of a bar connecting the several cranks, a toothed sector secured to the end of one of the slats in the plane of the cranks upon either side of it, the said sector being provided with an extension having a Wristpin riveted thereto, a bearing-plate beneath the toothed sector, a Washerinserted between the bearing-plate and the toothed sector, and a rack-bar for operating the sector, substantially as set. forth.

3. The combination, with the toothed sector, the rack-bar engaged therewith, and the slats connected with the toothed sector, of a housing for the rack-bar and sector, said housing having a lip extending in proximity to the side of the toothed sector to prevent its displacement, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the toothed sector, the rack-bar engaged therewith and provided With ad shank intermediate of its ends, and the slats connected with the toothed sector, of a housing for the rack-bar and sector, the said housing being provided with a slot as long as the distance from one end of the rack-bar to the opposite edge of the shank, the said rack-bar having an engagement with the sector when the parts are assembled, by which its shank is prevented from engaging the ends of t-he slot in eitherdirection, Whereby the rack-bar may be inserted through the slot from Without and is held against displacement, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the series of slats and the frame in which their opposite ends are pivoted, of cranks secured to the ends of the slats, a bar connecting the cranks, and a rackbar and toothed sector in the plane of cranks for operating the connecting-bar, the said cranks, connecting-bar, rack-bar, and toothed sector being secured to and ,concealed in the frame in immediate proximity to the ends of the slats, substantially as set forth.

GEORGE WILLIAM HORSTATT.

Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNEs, L. N. LEGENDRE. 

